Explore

Back to IntroInteractive Map
1

Everyone to Parliament!

2

The Present-Day Place D'Youville

3

Place Royale

4

Place d’Armes

5

Notre-Dame Street

6

Champ-de-Mars

Interactive VersionPedagogic ResourcesAboutContact usSitemapFrançais

You are about to access the interactive version of the site.

This version is designed to provide a more immersive experience, presenting all content in a dynamic and interactive way.

Would you like to proceed to the interactive version?

Yes, interactive version
Back
fr

Montréal, a Fortified Town

Early-19th-century hand-drawn map showing the fortifications of the city of Montréal. The fortifications encircle the entire old city centre.

Louis Charland, “Plan des Fortifications de la Ville de Montréal […], le 25 janvier 1803” (detail), Library and Archives Canada, 4137835.

The Champ-de-Mars remains inseparable from Montréal’s military history and from the defensive system inherited from the French Regime. The layout of the fortifications largely matches the present-day perimeter of Old Montréal. On this map, the Champ-de-Mars is identified as number III.

Regiments on Display!

A 19th-century black-and-white illustration. In the foreground, a uniformed soldier stands beside a column. In the background, a monumental column is surrounded by wrought-iron fencing, with passersby in front. Buildings rise on either side.

Unknown artist, "View from the Main Guardroom looking towards Nelson’s Monument, Montreal, showing member of 93rd Regiment", 1845, Library and Archives Canada, C-110974.

In this artist’s view of 1845, drawn from the guardhouse on Notre-Dame Street, facing the Nelson Column, a soldier is shown standing sentry. In that year, two British regiments were stationed in Montréal: the 52nd Regiment of Light Infantry and the 93rd Sutherland Highland Regiment. The distinctive uniform makes it possible to identify the soldier here as one of the 93rd Highlanders, recognizable by his Scottish kilt.